Gas producer



13, 3929. s T I 1,724,525

GAS PRODUCER 4 Filed Jan. 30, 1922 s Sheets-Sheet 1 Au 13, 1929. H, F, SMITH 1,724,525

GAS PRODUCER Filed Jan. 50. 1922 s Sheets- Sheet 2 1 135 I37 Q W Aug. 13, 1929. H, F; SMITH 1,724,525

GAS PRODUCER Filed Jan. 50, 1922 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 555755555 [MW/g AM 9. 5 @5 jun flffarzzey Patented 13, 1929.

HARRY F. SMITH, OF

DAYTON, OHIO, ASSIGNOB TO THE GAS RESEARCH COMPANY, OF

DAYTON, 01-110, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GAS PRODUCER.

Application filed January 30, 1922. Serial No. 532,724.

This invention relates to gas generation, and more particularly to the generation of producer gas.

One of the principal ob ects of the invention is to provide such a small sized producer as is adapted for the generation of gas for domestic use, which is simple and cheap in its Construction, and eflicient in operation. p

Another object of the inventlon is to provide a producer of this character which s provided with a separate fuel reservo1r.

Another object of the invention is'to provide a producer, adapted to be used in conjunction with a separate fuel reservoir,

which has means permitting the removal ofthe fuel reservoir, when empty, for refillingor for replacement with another filled reser voir, without interfering with, orstop'pmg, the operation of the producer.

Still another object of the inventlon is to provide a small size gas producer with means for cutting down the heat losses dur ng operation.

Other objects and advantages of the n,- vention will be apparent from the description thereof set" out below when taken in connection with the accompanying drawing.

In the drawing, in which like. characters of reference designate like parts throughout the several views thereof;

Fig. 1 is a view, principally in vertlcal section, of a gas producer embodying the invention, the section being along the line 1-1 of Fig. 2;

Fig.2 is a sectional View along the line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary sectional View along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional View of a slightly modified form of producer;

Fig. 5 is a. vertical sectional view'of a producer quite similar to that shown in Fig. 4, but provided with a different form of water vaporizer;

Fig. 6 is a vertical view through another modified form of producer; and

Fig. 7 is a vertical View of still another modified form of producer.

The gas producers heretofore in general use have, ordinarily, run in size in excess of twenty-five horsepower, most of them running several hundred horsepower and some of themseveral thousand horsepower. The roducers shown in the drawing and described herein, are, however, primarily designed for the furnishing of gas for domestic or home use, and are of considerably smaller size than those heretofore in general use. Where these producers are desig-- nated, therefore, as bein of small size it is meant that they are normally of less than twenty-five horsepower, and generally of from three to ten horsepower. Or to illus-,

,trate in another way, the grate diameter of the producers heretofore in general use have ranged in diameter from three to sixteen feet, whereas-the producer's which are herein designated as small size have, in general, a grate diameter of not more than twelve inches. I

In the copending application of Harry F. Smith, No. 398,749 dated July 24, 1920 is described a form of producer adapted for 7 the supplying of gas for operating small size gas engines, such as are found in the well-known house lighting plant, and for supplying gas for domestic use. In the type of producer shown therein a single shell is provided which contains both the gas generating zone, in which the active fuel bed is located, and the fuel reservoir, in which fuel for a considerable period of v operation is contained.

In the types of producers shown herein the fuel reservoir is made separate and distinct from the gas generating chamber of the producer, the size of the generator thus being considerably less than in the type of producer shown in the above referred to copend- I ing application. Also the fuel container can be made of considerably lighter metal than the material of the generator. For example, the producer shell maybe of cast metal of ,the required thickness, while the fuel container may be of sheet metal or thinner cast metal. As a consequence the weight of theentire apparatus is materially less, a feature which is quite advantageous where the producer is to be exported, and in' addition the initial manufacturing expense is materially decreased. v

In that form of gas producer which is shown in Figs 1, 2 and 3 the producer comprises a metallic shell 10, having a lining therein which is constructed of such mate rial as to be both heat insulating and heat resisting. This lining preferably consists of a thin layer of heat resisting material 11 backed by a layer of heat insulating material 12, the heat insulating material filling the space between the layer 11 and the metallic shell 10. Cooperating with the upper end of the layer 11 is a ring 13, of the same heat resisting material as this layer. The gas generating chamber proper, which is designated by the numeral 14, is contained principally within the member 11, the upper end of the generating chamber lying within the ring 13, the construction of the ring being such that the passage therethro'ugh which constitutes this upper end of the generating chamber, is flared, thusgiving an inclined wall which facilitates the feeding of the fuel downwardly into the generating chamber proper. The heat resisting material constituting the member 11 and the ring 13, maybe of any suitable character, firebrick having been found to function very satisfactorily. The heat insulating material 12, may also vary in character, a very satisfactory material being a mixture of silocel, which consists primarily of kieselguhr, with cement in the proportion of four parts of silocel to one of cement. Inasmuch as the principal function of this heat insulating material is to prevent the loss of heat from the generating chamber, by radiation into the atmosphere from the metallic shell 10, this material may be of any desired character so long as it tends to minimize these heat losses. For example, asbestos would function quite satisfactorily, or the lining described may be entirely dispensed with, and

' the shell completely filled with the fuel from which the gas is to be generated, the combustion of the fuel being so controlled that the incandescent zone thereof is always surrounded by a zone of inactive fuel which serves as a heat insulating lining. T he lower end of the shell is provided with a closure plate 20, which may be attached to the shell in any suitable way. This attachment, as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 1, and in detail in Fig. 7, is preferably by means of lugs carried by the shell 10 with which cooperate suitable bolts carried by the plate 20. The lining for the producer is cut away at the lower part thereof to provide an ash pit 21, a suitable opening 22, into the ash pit being providedin the shell 10. A grate 23 is positioned within the ash pit for supporting the fuel bed within the gas generating chamber. This grate preferably consists of a perforated plate, having a plurality of legs 24. B means of this construction the grate is held out ofgood thermal connection with the producer shell and the transfer of heat, by conduction, from the incandescent fuel bed through the grate into the shell of the producer, and then by radiation into the atmosphere is almost completely prevented. v

The upper end of the shell 10 is closed by means of a top 30, which is preferably welded in place although itvmay be attached to the shell in any other suitable manner,

this top having an opening 31therein which servesas a fuel inlet and which issurrounded by a depending flange 32 extending downwardly into the producer and terminating at substantially the level of the upper end of the lining.

Leading off from the generator, above the generating chamber proper, and above thelower end of the depending flange 32 is the offtake pipe 35, through which the gener ated producer gas passes to any suitable the pipe 39 into the ash pit. .The 'upper end of the pipe 39 termin'ates within the chamber 38, and above the level of the water therein, and the lower end opens into the ash pit beneath the grate, so that steam or vapor passing therethrough into the ash pit mingles with the air passing into the producer, through the ash pit opening 22, to form the blast. The producer may be either suction operated, in which case the air and moisture which constitute the blast are drawn into and through the producer imder suction, or pressure operated, in which case the blast of air and moisture is forced into the ash pit, and through the fuel bed, under pressure. The

producer as shown is adapted for operating under suction, a conventional gear pump, 36, serving as a suction means; but by attaching suitable blasting means to the ash pit it may operate under pressure instead.

For maintaining the level of the water within the vaporizer constant, during operation of the producer, apparatus is provided, which, for convenience in des'cription, is designated as a chicken feed type. This apparatus consists of a cup or trough like vessel 40, the-lower end of which is connected by means of the pipe 41, with the vaporizer 38. Associated with the member 40 is a bottle or some other suitable vessel or container 42, which is held in inverted posit on, the mouth of the bottle being positioned within the vessel 40. As shown, the bottle is supported in position by means of the standard 43 which is illustrated as of a type commonly used in chemical laboratories, although any other suitable supporting means may be used. The bottle 42 is filled with water before being placed in inverted position with its open end Within the cup etO and when in position the water will not run out of that bottle into the cup unless the level of the water within the cup 40 falls sullieiently low to let some air pass up into the bottle, when water will flow down into the cup until the mouth of the bottle is again closed off by the rising water level in the cup. Inasmuch as the level of the water within the cup 40 and the vaporizer 38 are the same this apparatus will function to antomatically supply the vaporizer with water as the water therein is vaporized during; operation of the producer. v

Associated with this producer is a fuel feeding mechanism so designed that it will receive and hold a reservoir or fuel container in position with its lower open end in register with the fuel inlet opening 31, so that the fuel within the container 50 will feed downwardly to replenish the fuel bed within the gas generating chamber as the fuel'therein is consumed. This fuel feeding mechanism is also arranged so that the reservoir 50 may be removed to replenish the supply of fuel therein, or so that it may be replaced by another reservoir which is 'already filled with fuel, 'without in anyway interrupting or stopping the operation of the producer.

This apparatus consists of a member 55, which is rigidly attached to the top 30 of the producer by means of suitable bolts 56, or in any other desired manner. This member is provided with a passage 57 therein, which, when it is in position, registers with the fuel inlet opening 31. This member is also provided with upstanding flanges 58, which serves as guides for the slide member 60, which may be slid back and forth uponthe member 55, by rotating the sprocket wheel 61, the teeth of which mesh with the chain 62, the opposite ends of which are attached to the slide. The sprocket wheel 61 is mounted upon a rotatable shaft 63 having a suitable operating handle 64: attached thereto, the shaft being mounted within bearings 65, carried by the member 55. This construction is such that upon rotation of the operating handle 64 the slide 60 will be caused to move in the desired direction, upon the member 55.

This slide 60 is cut away at one end to form an opening 7 O, which may be brought into register with the opening 57, within the member 55, the other end of the slide being i so constructed that it may be positioned over this opening 57 to completely shut it off. and prevent the flow of air from the atmosphere into the producer therethrough, or of gas from the producer out into the atmosphere.

The member is extended to one side, and is cut away adjacent the extreme end of this extension, as shown at 71, to receive a plate 72. This plate is of substantially the same size as the'flange 73 upon the lower end of the fuel reservoir 50, and the construction is such that whentheslide is moved to bring the opening therein out of register with the opening 57 in the memher-55, and to bring the blank portion thereof into register with the opening 57 to shut that-opening off from connection with the atmosphere, the lower end ofuthe container 50"will register with and be closed by the plate 72; but when the slide is moved in the opposite direction then the container is moved out of register with the plate 72 and the opening within the slide is caused to assume such a position that the fuel reservoir 50 at that time positioned within the opening 70 will be caused to move over the member 72. The plate 72 is provided with two springs 75, each of which is rigidly attached, at one end, to the bottom of the plate and has its other end overturned so that when the plate is in position upon the member 55 the free ends of the springs, which are provided with enlargements or extensions 76, will be so positioned that the extensions will lie within small cut out portions 77, theconstruction being such that as the member 60 is moved to bring the fuel reservoir out of register with the gas generating chamber of the producer and into cooperative relation with the plate 72, the flange 73 upon this fuel reservoir will be brought under the extension 76 so that the plate 72 will be held against the open end of the fuel reservoir.

When the apparatus is in this position the fuel reservoir, with the plate 72 attached thereto may be lifted bodily from its place, while the opening 57 is securely closed by means of the blank portion of the slide 60. The plate 72 may then be .removed and the reservoir refilled with fuel, or another reservoir already filled with fuel substituted therefor, the plate 72 may be placed in position, the filled reservoir then put in position and the slide 60 moved in the opposite direction. As the slide 60 moves in the opposite direction it will carry the fuel reservoir with it slipping this reservoir off of the plate and out from under the members 76 carried by the springs and into register with the opening 57 so that the fuel within that reservoir may then move freely into the generating chamber of the'producer.

Clamping members 80, mounted upon bolts 81, carried by the flanges 58, of the member 55 are provided for holding the fuel reservoir firmly in place,'when that reservoir is in register with the opening 57. Each of the bolts 81 is surrounded b .a spring one end of which bears against t e head of the I bolt and the other end of which bears against the cooperating clamping member 80 to force that member against the flange 73.0f the fuel reservoir sq that the fuel reservoir is thus held tightly in position. If desired suitable clean out plugs may be provided in the top 30, to permit access to the interior of the vaporizer and to the pipe 39. V

In assembling the generator it is placed in inverted position and the metallic ring 85 is placed in position, resting on the supporting lugs 86, which are rigidly secured ,to the shell 10. The ring 13 is then placed in position, and the member 11 positioned on the ring, the cooperating surfaces of these two members being so arranged that the member 11 will be properly centered;the pipe 39 having been also properly positioned. The parts having been thus assembled the heat insulating material is filled into the space between the member 11, the ring 13 and the shell, this material being properly packed in place. The bottom plate is then placed in position, and after the lining material has properly set the producer may be reinverted .to upright position.

In Fig. 4 is shown a slightl modified form of gas producer, in which t e plate and the supporting lugs 86 are dispensed with, the partition 37 serving to support the refractory member '11 during assembling of the device. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the depending flange 32 extends downwardly into the gas generating chamber so that the lower end thereof projects below the ofl'take opening 35, to thus prevent fuel working into that opening. Because of the construction shown in Fig. 4, in which the partition37 is closer to the active zone of the fuel bed, this member 32' is not thus extended downwardly into the generating chamber, but instead a bafiie member 90, is provided, in front of the oiftake opening.

Also in this construction the pipe connecting the vaporizer to the ash pit does not extend downwardly inside the shell of the producer throu h the lining, but is POSI'. tioned outside 0 the producer shell, as shown at 91. Furthermore the end of this pipe opening into the ash pit extends a considerable way across the ash pit, so that it terminates adjacent that part of the ash pit which is connected to the atmosphere. By means of this construction more complete mixture of the airand moisture is secured, so that a blast of more uniform composition results.

In this modification alsothe apparatus for supporting the fuel reservoir, and for changing that fuel reservoir without interfering with the-operation of the producer, is dispensed with. As shown the producer is pro- .vided with an upstanding flange 92 surrounding the fuel inlet opening, whlch is operate with the upstanding flange 92. In. order that leakage of air through the fuel inlet opening may not occur, when the fuel reservoir is in place, it is provided with an outstanding flange-94, having a groove therein within which is positioned suitable packing material 95; the construction being such that the groove within the flange 95 will receive the upper end of the flange 92, the packing 95 making a tight joint and preventing leakage between the two. The flange 94 is preferably so positioned that a substantial portion of the spout or neck 96 of the fuel feed extends into the fuel feed opening to prevent the fuel feed from tipping over. Of course the same type of mechanism shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 for reciving the fuel container may be used if desired. Or a conventional fuel feeding mechanism adapted for feeding the fuel 1n measured charges at suitable intervals may also be used.

' In both the forms of producers thus far described the water vaporizer consists of a chamber, positioned in the top of the shell where it receives heat, during operation of the producer, by radiation from the fuel bed and also from the hot outgoing gases which pass over the partition forming the bottom of this chamber. Ordinarily the load on a producer of the character described is sub stantially constant and does not fluctuate often, or over a wide range. But when such rapid and large fluctuations in load occur the type of vaporizer shown is slightly obj ectionable; for this vaporizer, as shown, during operation contains a considerable quantity of water and is therefore not immediately responsive to rapid fluctuations in'load, and of course, it is generally desirable to maintain the proportion of moisture to air in the blast substantially constant, regardless of the quantity, of blast that may be passing through the producer of varying load. In addition because of its large volume the water in the vaporizer, after it has once reached its operating temperature, will remain hot for a considerable period after the producer has been shut down entirely, and where the producer is operating under heavy load sufficient heat may be imparted to the vaporizer to cause boiling of the water. When this is the case and the producer is shut down completely, it takes some little time before the water in the vaporizer cools off sufiiciently to stop the generation of steam.

Where these conditions of fluctuating load .tance' below the outlet of the Utube into the vaporizer 101. When the producer is not operating, therefore, the water level in the vessel 100, and in the leg of the U-tube which opens into the vaporizer is below the outlet opening of the U-tube, and consequently there is no water supply in the vaporizer at all. Inasmuch as the producer is suction operated, however, as is the modification shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3, as. soon as operation is started, and a partial vacuum exists within the generator, there will be such an unbalancing of pressures as will cause the water to overflow from the U-tube into the vaporizer 101. And the quantity of water which flow into the vaporizer Wlll be directly dcpen ent upon the suction on the producer. In this construction the vaporizer 101 really functions, ordinarily, as a flash boiler, water being fed thereinto in small quantities just as it is needed. Obviously this construction is directly responsive to fluctuations in load, for the heavier the load the greater the suction on the producer, and therefore the greater the amount of vapor withdrawn from the vaporizer, and the greater the amount of water fed into the vaporizer. Furthermore the objection noted above that the vaporizer continues to give off steam for a considerable time after the producer is shut down is not present in this form of construction, for as soon as suction on the producer stops no further water flows into the vaporizer.

In Fig. 6 is shown still another modified form of gas producer. Every producer is provided with some means for preventing heat losses from the fuel bed by radiation from the shell of the producer into the at mosphere. Where producers are of the size heretofore generally used, in excess of three feet in diameter, the ratio of the radiating surface of the shell to the mass of incandescent fuel in the fuel bed is so low that these radiation losses are not particularly objectionable, although they do of course decrease the efliciency of the producer. But in a small sized producer, such as illustrated and described herein, in which the grate diameter is probably not in excess of twelve inches, some of the forms of producer shown herein having been operated successfully with grate diameters of four inches, the ratio between the radiating surface of the shell and the mass of incandescent fuel in the generating chamber is so reat that if the heretofore generally preva ent methods of heat insulatmg linmg aroused the heat losses by radiat1on from theshell will be so great as to not only seriously interfere with the satisfactory operation ofthe producer,"but to even completely prevent the operation of that producer in such wise as to make a combustible gas. It is generally true that thegreater the heat loss in a pro ucer the less-the percentage of combustible constituents in the gas, and if the heat losses become sufliciently high the fuel may be completely consumed without the generation of any combustible gas at all, there being merely complete combustion of -the fuel into carbon-dioxide.

Therefore, in these small size producers the lining has been so constructed that transfer of heat therethrough into the shell is minimlzed, and the grate has also been so constructed that it has no direct thermal connectlon with the shell of the producer. As a result producers of the small size mentioned above, constructed in accordance with the disclosure of this application, will during ordinary operation show an efiiciency as high, or even higher than the efliciency of the best of the large size producers.

In the forms of producers shown in Figs.

1 through 5, and described above, a suitable I heat insulating lining is depended upon for preventing the transfer of heat from the fuel bed into the shell. In the producer shown in Fig. 6, however, this lining is entirely dispensedwith, and instead the ingoing blast is so introduced that it absorbs the heat tending to escape from the fuel bed into the shell, and carries that 'heat back into the fuel bed. 1

As illustrated the producer consist of a lower section 120, which comprises a cylindrical shell open at its upper end; and an upper section, comprising a cylindrical tube 121, of less diameter than the shell 120, and adapted to be positioned within thatrshell, this tube, when the generator is completely assembled, containing the generating chamber 122. Surrounding the tube 121 is a circular chamber 123, which functions as a vaporizer, this chamber, upon its lower wall, being provided with a circular grooved member 124, the groove which is adapted to receive the upper end of the shell 120 having suitable packing 125 positioned therein, so that when the two. are in assembled position a tight joint is maintained to prevent leakage of air into the producer, or of gas out from the producer. Depending from the lower wall 126, of the passage 123, is a circular flange, so proportioned that it will lie within the shell 120, and be spaced a suitable distance therefrom. Attached to the inner wall of the shell 120 is a shelf which is smaller in diameter than the deending flange127, and is thus, when the evice is assembled, positioned between the flange 127, and the cylindrical tube 121. The construction is such that the flange 127 extends downwardly such a distance that it terminates ,a short distance from the shelf 130 while the flange 131 extends upwardly such a distance that it terminates ,a short distance below the bottom plate 126.

A chicken feed apparatus designated generally by the numeral 135, of the character already described above, for feeding water into the vaporizer, is provided. Leading ofl from the vaporizer, through the upper wall thereof is a pipe 136, which opens into a nozzle 137, which may be of any suitable character. This nozzle projects into the upper open end of a pipe 140, the lower end of which opens into the space between the shell 120 and the depending flange 127.

During operation of the producer, air passes in through the pipe 140, the producer being constructed to operate under suction. At the same time the water vapor generated within the vaporizer 123 passesthrough the nozzle 137 into the ingoing air. The amount of vapor which passes into the air may be controlled by proper manipulation of the needle valve 138. The exact construction of this nozzle 137 and needle valve 138 is not shown inasmuch as any conventional type of spray nozzle or needle valve may be used.

Because of the construction described above the ingoing blast is caused to traveldownwardly between the shell 120 and the depending flange 127, thence upwardly between the flange 127 and the flange 131 and thence downwardlyagain between the flange 131 and the cylindrical tube 121 into the ash pit 143, and thence through the gate into the generating chamber, the generated producer gas passing outwardly throu h the o'fl'stake pipe 144. As the blast of air and moisture thus passes to the ash pit it absorbs the heat which tends to travel by conduction and radiation from the fuel bed through the tube 121 flanges 131 and 127 to the shell 120. In other words in the type of producer in Figs. 1 to 5 a heat insulating lining is provided which is so constructed as to offer such resistance to the transfer of heat therethrough, by conduction, that only inconsiderable quantities of heat are lost by radiation from the shell. In the ty e of producer shown in Fig. 6 this type 0 lining is dispensed with, and instead the heat which tend to escape from the fuel bed is absorbed by the ingoing blast and carried back into the fuel bed so that, in final analysis,- the heat losses are as inconsequential as in the type of apparatus described above.

In this construction a grate 145 is provided, which is substantially identical in construction with the type of grate already terial, with a construction of the character shown in Fig. 6, in which the ingoing air blast is caused -to absorb the heat which tends to pass from the fuel bed to the shell of the producer. In this modification the equivalent of the layer of heat insulating,

material 12, shown in Fig. 1 is provided this layer of material being designated by the numeral 160, but the layer of heat resistingmaterial 11 is dispensed with and in place thereof is provided a metallic tube 161, which may be of any suitable metal, but is preferably of some metal which is highly,

resistant to oxidation, and other chemicalreactions, at high temperatures; such a metal, for example, as some of the commercially Well-known chromium and nickel alloys. Inter osed between the cylindrical tube 161, and t e layer of insulatin material 160 is a metallic member 162, w ich as shown is made of cast iron and which is provided with a series of inwardly extending ribs 163 so positioned that a series of circular grooves or passages 164 are provided.

The ribs 163 are so constructed that when the tube 161, and the member 162 are placed in position, these ribs will contact with the tube 161, the grooves 164 thus becoming closed passages. Each of the ribs 163 has an opening 165 therein, these openings being so arranged that. they are in staggered relation. Opening into the uppermost of the passages v164 is a blast inlet pipe 170, through'which the blast of air and moisture is introduced into this uppermost groove. This producer as shown, is adapted to operate under either pressure or suction, and during operation the blast introduced into the uppermost passage 164 will-move down-- wardly from one passage to the next, through the openings 165, its path of travel, and, therefore, the time during which it is brought in contact with the tube 161 being thus lengthened so thatv it may absorb a greater quantity of heat during its travel through these passages. The heated blast passes out through the lowermost of the openings 165 into the ash pit and then upwardly into the fuel bed, the resulting gas passing ofl through the oiftake pipe 171. .The pipe 170 should be attached to some form of saturator, or apparatus in which the air for the blast. is caused to take up the proper proportion of moisture. The precise construction of the saturator is not shown, since saturators of this character are Smith No. 888,359 dated May 19, 1908 which shows a saturator which has worked very satisfactorily for a number of years, can be used.

In both the modification shown in Fig. 6 and that shown in Fig. 7 the ingoing air blast as it passes into the generating chamber is caused to absorb heat from the fuel bed, and carry that heat back into the generating chamber.

In Fig. 1 the producer is shown as provided with a conventional gear pump 36, positioned within the gas outlet pipe or delivery main, which draws the blast through the gas generating chamber under suction and forces the generated producer gas through the delivery main, under suitable pressure, to any desired place of use or storage. Of course any other suitable type of pumping apparatus may be used in place of the gear pump shown. Or the generating chamber may be directlyconnected to the inlet pipe of a gas engine adapted to operate upon the generated gas, and the engine during operation will furnish the suction for drawing the blast through the fuel bed. If desired the producer may operate under pressure in which case a suitable blower or pump is used for forcing the blast through the generating chamber, and the fuel bed therein, under pressure. Each modified type of producer shown may be operated either under suction or pressure as described.

While the method herein described, and the forms of apparatus for carrying this method into effect, constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to this precise method and forms of apparatus, and that changes may be made in either without departing from the scope of the invention which is defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A gas producer of the character described adapted to be assembled in inverted position, comprising-a producer shell having an open lower end, a ring supported within the shell intermediate its ends, a lining extending beneath the supporting ring and adapted to be inserted into the shell through said open lower end and to be supported by said ring when-the shell is in inverted position, and a bottom closure plate for closing said lower end of the shell.

2. In apparatus of the character described, and in combination, a gas producer having a shell provided with a fuel inlet opening therein, a member associated with said opening in the shell and having an opening in registration therewith, a slidable plate mounted upon said member having an opening in one end thereof, a removable and portable fuel reservoir having a discharge mouth positioned within the opening in said slidable plate, the other end of said slidable plate forming a closure to completely close off said opening in the shell when the said plate is moved into position for removal of the fuel reservoir, and a separate closure plate for the said fuel reservoir associated with said parts and adapted to be positioned over the discharge mouth of the fuel reservoir upon movement of the slidable plate and fuel reservoir to said position for removal.

3. In apparatus of the character described, and in combination, a gas producer having a shell provided With a fuel inlet opening therein, a member associated with said opening in the shell: and having an opening in registration therewith, a slidable plate mounted upon said member having an opening in one end thereof, a removable and portable fuel reservoir having a discharge mouth positioned within the opening in said slidable plate, the other end of said slidable plate forming a closure to completely close off said opening in the shell when the said plateis moved into position for removal of the fuel reservoir, a separate closure plate for the said fuel reservoir removably carried by said member, and clamping means carried by said closure plate, the said closure I plate and clampingmeans being positioned to receive and engage the discharge mouth of the' fuel reservoir upon movement of the fuel reservoir to said position for removal to thereby close the mouth of the fuel reservoir to facilitate removal and replacement thereof.

In testimony whereof I hereto aflix my signature.

HARRY F. SMITH. 

